A PECTIN METHYLESTERASE gene at the maize Ga1 locus confers male function in unilateral cross-incompatibility

Unilateral cross-incompatibility between certain varieties of maize prevents cross-fertilization and can facilitate hybrid breeding. Here the authors show that a PECTIN METHYLESTERASE gene is able to overcome this reproductive barrier and confer fertility when expressed in pollen of the male parent.

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Zhaogui Zhang, Baocai Zhang, Zhibin Chen, Dongmei Zhang, Huairen Zhang, Hang Wang, Yu’e Zhang, Darun Cai, Juan Liu, Senlin Xiao, Yanqing Huo, Jie Liu, Lanjun Zhang, Mingming Wang, Xu Liu, Yongbiao Xue, Li Zhao, Yihua Zhou, Huabang Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2018-09-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06139-8